Recommendation? Looking for a “gentleman’s folder”

Mrhoades said:
I’ve been lurking around BF and I’m trying to decide on a new folder for office carry. I am a “buy once, cry once” guy, but don’t want to go crazy. I would say my budget is <$200 and would prefer a pocket clip and sub-3” blade. I’ve recently considered the mass drop Gent, Boker mini trapper and LionSteel Opera.

Any suggestions are appreciated.
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I cannot recommend the Kizer Feist enough if you’re down to try a front flipper. They are a great opening system because they can be flicked open hard and fast when you want to or slowly rolled open around polite company.
 
The Kizer Splinter is a nice lightweight titanium framelock flipper with an S35VN blade. Under $125 bucks.

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Ourorboros said:
Those Boos are pretty. I must add to my list.

I'm not enthusiastic about the Boker Urban Trapper or the Wasabi, tbh. I like Boker Solingen knives, but the Magnums not so much.
An overlooked one is the Spyderco Jess Horn. If it wasn't for the clip requirement I'd list Moki, but this is the clipped & Spydie-holed equivalent.
The Kizer Feist is another good one.
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I too would avoid the boker brand made in China line. They look nice but lack quality.
 
For what its worth, the Boker knives I listed are from their "plus" lineup (mid tier, right after their solingen lineup, but ahead of their low cost magnum lineup).

I know that the Chinese made Boker lineup has had a poor reputation around here for years. I can only say that the Exskelibur 2 I had for years (lost it recently, but EDC'd it for 8 years continuously before that), was totally fine. The only quality issue I had in that time was the wooden scales starting to chip on the edge, and the clip screws working lose, and occasionally needing re-tightening. So my personal experience with Boker has been acceptable so far. Enough that I'd try another.

The only review of the Wasabi that I've been able to find has been here on BF. Initial reports seem to indicate good quality, or at least not any problems that would ward me off at this point.
 
I have owned a box load of "gentlemen's knives" and the best one I have found is the wonderfully thin Spyderco Chaparral. In your price range you can get carbon fiber, Raffir Noble, or gray FRN. I have these and I prefer the FRN, but if I am really dressed up I take the black carbon fiber. The knife is thin, the blade is thin, but the blade is wide, therefore, it cuts like no knife you have seen. XHP steel holds an edge for a long time. It has a pocket clip, the blade is under 3 inches and has one hand opening. The ergonomics are superior and the knife has a stop pin so there is no movement of the blade once locked. It is simply the best knife of its kind out there.

I forgot to mention that for $11 more you can get stealth patterned titanium in this knife.
 
Seeing the CRKT did make me think of one that fits fairly well the intended category the Swindle has a elegant design despite being all metal construction.

Some knives I would add to the list
Lionsteel Mini w/ Clip (available in Olive Wood or Santos Wood) this has a under 2.5" blade but very good fit for gentleman's folder
Lionsteel Daghetta CF (Coated or Uncoated Blade) this is slightly larger than 3" blade
Lionsteel TiSpine it is just pretty and over budget but sure is pretty
Viper DAN 1/2 (1 is a Drop Point and 2 is Wharnecliffe) just shy of 3" blade around $100 but it is not a locking blade if that is an issue

I am sure could find more but most the others that I know of or could find have been mentioned already.
 
A.G. Russell's Jess Horn is a good gentlemanly knife too. It's one I wish I had just for the reason. Spyderco does one in grey G10 that looks really good for the price, though it may not compete with the more expensive options available.
 
ocnLogan said:
For what its worth, the Boker knives I listed are from their "plus" lineup (mid tier, right after their solingen lineup, but ahead of their low cost magnum lineup).

I know that the Chinese made Boker lineup has had a poor reputation around here for years. I can only say that the Exskelibur 2 I had for years (lost it recently, but EDC'd it for 8 years continuously before that), was totally fine. The only quality issue I had in that time was the wooden scales starting to chip on the edge, and the clip screws working lose, and occasionally needing re-tightening. So my personal experience with Boker has been acceptable so far. Enough that I'd try another.

The only review of the Wasabi that I've been able to find has been here on BF. Initial reports seem to indicate good quality, or at least not any problems that would ward me off at this point.
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the plus lin is especially bad. I own several different models of the eskellaburgrr line. They are very poor quality for the money. The reason I buy quality these days is because of boker plus disappointment.
 
Alot of great options here, but if you're a buy once cry once kinda person, just up your budget a bit, even if you gotta wait another paycheck or 2, and get a small Sebenza...
 
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Mo2 said:
the plus lin is especially bad. I own several different models of the eskellaburgrr line. They are very poor quality for the money. The reason I buy quality these days is because of boker plus disappointment.
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Fair enough. Perhaps I had a unicorn, and got the one decent one they made 8 years ago. Perhaps I just have a lower bar/expectation for quality. No idea, I just can only give comments/recommendations based on what I've seen (which has been mostly positive).

Out of curiosity, in which ways are the quality poor on those models you have, and how long ago did you get them? Mine was an Exskelimoor II I bought in 2010, and it was centered, scales were flush with the liners all around, grind was decent, etc. It seems strange to me that the plus line would be worse then the magnum line (when they self describe their magnum as the lower end lineup), but clearly you feel the way you do because of the ones you also own, so can't fault you for that.

And, I'm not championing them as being better than sliced bread. I just haven't seen them be as bad as some people say personally.
 
Mo2 said:
I too would avoid the boker brand made in China line. They look nice but lack quality.
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Normally I agree, especially the Boker magnum line. However my Boker Exskelibur 1 titanium framelock was built in China and was of excellent quality. Simply flawless. Still has those terrible paper mache soft screws though.
 
I work exclusively in an office environment and spent a while considering the question of the gentlemen's folder. I decided on the ZT 0450 but was afraid it might be too perfect thus mitigating the need to look for and purchase other knives. And... I was right and wrong. It is the perfect gentlemen's folder. It also has not stopped me from purchasing other knives.
 
The Boker Exskellibur titanium version actually makes a great gentleman's knife despite it being a little on the larger side. My ideal knife from Boker would've been the FR if it had been of better build quality. Don't miss that one at all after getting a Massdrop Gent though. Much better and very similar knife. The Gent and Spyderco Chaparral have been my go-to budget carries with the CRK Mnandi being carried when I'm feeling fancy.
 
I like two of my Exskelibur but have to say the quality is hit or miss.
It has been a few years since I bought them, so things might be different now.
 
I've been carrying two seldom seen (at least in my rudimentary observations) knives for this purpose.

Benchmade Megumi - a little small but great for an office setting, and I really appreciate some of the nice ornate little touches.

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Speaking of ornate touches, you can get a Maserin Atti in S35vn for ~$85, comes in a variety of scale materials and has some great filework.

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For what it's worth, I'm very satisfied with the quality of my Boker Urban Trapper in cocobolo. My only complaint is that they are often overpriced at retail. Off the exchange I think they are a great value. What some call flimsy, I would describe as light weight. It can be clipped to the inside pocket of a sport coat or suit jacket, or even to a shirt pocket like a pen. That capability alone gives them a niche in the gentleman's folder arena.
 
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